EDUCATION
EDUCATION SPECIAL FEATURE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
WHY ANCIENT ROME STILL RULES HOLLYWOOD
Are’ you not entertained?’ Well, you will be. From iconic movie props to Roman costumes and interactive displays, Maidstone Museum’ s new Hollywood Rome exhibition explores how ancient Rome has inspired some of Hollywood’ s biggest films.
This immersive exhibition gives visitors the chance to step into the world of emperors, gladiators and legendary warriors. You can try on Roman costumes, have your own‘ I am Spartacus’ moment and get up close to genuine screen-used props while discovering the real history behind the blockbusters.
Among the highlights are a sword carried by Dominic West in Centurion, a shield from The Eagle and fabric tent hangings used in Gladiator. These remarkable artefacts bring visitors face-to-face with the craftsmanship and storytelling that helped create some of cinema’ s most memorable epics.
From the sand-swept arenas of Gladiator to the battlefields of King Arthur, Centurion, The Eagle, Ben-Hur and
Spartacus, the exhibition explores how filmmakers have brought the Roman world to life and why these stories continue to captivate audiences.
“ Few civilisations have captured our imagination quite like ancient Rome. 2,000 years after its fall, we are still telling stories about its emperors, soldiers, gladiators and legends,” says Erika Balban, community and events manager at Maidstone Museum.” For many of us, our first encounter with Roman history wasn’ t in a classroom, but on a cinema screen. It may have been the thunder of chariots racing around an arena, a lone gladiator facing impossible odds, or a Roman legion marching into battle. Hollywood has spent decades shaping our image of the ancient world.
“ Hollywood Rome invites visitors to look behind the spectacle and discover how much of what we see on screen is rooted in reality. It’ s a fascinating exploration of where history ends and Hollywood begins.”
This this isn’ t just an exhibition for younger visitors. Film fans will enjoy spotting genuine screen-used pieces and tracing the Roman epic back to the classic sword-and-sandal films of the 1950s and 60s. History enthusiasts will find something deeper too, with opportunities to explore which elements of these films are grounded in archaeology and historical evidence, and which were created purely for dramatic effect. The result is a thoughtful look at why Ancient Rome, from Shakespeare’ s plays to Ridley Scott’ s arenas, continues to inspire storytellers.
Teachers looking to bring Roman history to life will also find plenty to engage their pupils. The exhibition is accompanied by a dedicated schools workshop exploring daily life, warfare and society in Roman Britain, offering a hands-on way to connect classroom learning with real objects and stories.
Between the costumes, authentic props, interactive displays and family activities, Hollywood Rome offers a rare combination- an exhibition that’ s entertaining enough for a spontaneous family day out, yet rich enough to satisfy anyone with a genuine interest in film or history.
Rome wasn’ t built in a day, but a visit to Hollywood Rome might just change the way you see both history and Hollywood in an afternoon.
Hollywood Rome runs at Maidstone Museum until 31 October 2026. Adult admission is £ 4.50; children £ 2.25; and under 5s free, with a family ticket costing £ 12 for two adults and up to three children.
museum. maidstone. gov. uk maidstonemuseum
182 • www. insidekent. co. uk